In the mid-1800s, Stephen Bishop – a slave – would emerge as one of the greatest cavers in history due to his explorations of Mammoth Cave – the world’s most extensive cave system. Despite his status as an enslaved person, he became famous in his lifetime as a daring, fearless, intelligent, and engaging guide and explorer.
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AUDIO HERE
Images
This is the map of Mammoth Cave made by Stephen Bishop in 1842. Click to enlarge. Source.
Also, check out the Mammoth Cave Wikipedia page for many wonderful photos.
Resources
There are no books about Stephen Bishop, but here are some articles about the man and his time at Mammoth Cave.
Cavers, Caves, & Caving, edited by Bruce Sloane, “Stephen Bishop: the Man and the Legend”, by Harold Meloy, pages 265-292.
Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, Vol. 120 No. 2 (Spring 2022), “Stephen Bishop: The Celebrated Guide of Mammoth Cave,” by Gary A. O’Dell and Angelo I. George.
Smithsonian Magazine, “Enslaved Tour Guide Stephen Bishop Made Mammoth Cave the Must-See Destination It Is Today,” by Joy Lanzendorfer.
Wikipedia Links
- Stephen Bishop
- Mammoth Cave (includes many photos)
Explorers Podcast 